Um, The Clouds are Purple

"So this is Istar, right?" Elizabeth asked, once we'd come to a stop.

"Yep. I think it's been about ten years since I was last here," Meliodas said.

The two of them took off, and I trailed a little ways behind.

King appeared next to me, flying at the pace I walked. "So what's your deal, huh? Where have you been all this time?"

"Asleep," was my simple response.

"Uh uh, that ain't gonna cut it. Why didn't you come years ago?"

I sighed. "Look, King, I was in an uncompromisable situation for many years, but I finally managed to break free and here I am, helping you. Maybe you shouldn't be so suspicious of your allies."

"I wasn't suspicious, just curious. It isn't a big deal anyways, you're here now. I'm sure Meliodas is happy to be with you again, and you with him."

"Thanks, King. You guys aren't half bad too. You're a little high-strung, maybe--"

"Hey!" he protested.

"Kidding," I laughed. "It's been great to meet all of you. At the very least, it's nice to know that my brother isn't struggling alone anymore. Where are the rest of the Sins?"

"Ban's on a quest of his own. He's trying to resurrect my sister, who's also his lover. It's weird. Anyways, Escanor's kind of M.I.A. We haven't seen him in a long time. He's been hiding since we were outlawed, but we need to find him and tell him we're free now," King explained.

"They both sound like saps," I commented.

King scoffed. "I'll let you decide that for yourself. We're here."

We stood under a large stone pillar. I looked ahead and saw only more plain land.

"We're...where? There's nothing here."

He gestured for me to keep walking.

"Um, I don't think it makes a diff-" I looked up and stopped talking. The landscape had completely changed. The sky was green and had purple clouds. A path stood in between two large bodies of water. Ahead stood a little island with two odd looking structures.

Meliodas was already at the island, greeting some people.

"Well, shall we?" I said.

King and I made our way across the path to the island.

I saw three individuals; two women who looked alike, except one had orange hair, the other dark, almost black, both women's hair braided loosely. The orange haired woman wore a short red dress with yellow flowers along the top, and was busy assaulting Hawk. The dark haired woman wore a long white dress, pink flowers on hers. Between them a tall, muscular man stood, regal and powerful. He had a face that looked quite old.

"Yo," Meliodas waved when we got closer to him. "Meet the Druid chiefs. That one's Lady Jenna." He pointed to the lady sticking her staff into Hawk's nose. "This is her sister, Lady Zaneri. And this big fella's Theo. He's the priest who protects them. What's up, Theo? You really bulked up, huh?"

"Yeah, Sir Meliodas! And at 15, I'm still growing," the man - or boy, I guess - replied.

"You're 15?!" Hawk exclaimed in the middle of his assault.

"This pig is so amusing!" Lady Jenna giggled.

I chuckled and looked around. "This place is amazing."

"Isn't it?" Theo smiled at me.

I looked over to the left, and found Lady Zaneri holding Meliodas' hand to her chest.

Don't even wanna know.

"Okay," Meliodas said awkwardly, removing his hand abruptly, a first for him. "That's enough with the greetings and stuff. The reason we came here today--"

Lady Jenna interjected. "Yes, we know why you're here."

"That makes things easier," Merlin said. "I'd expect no less from the Druid chief."

"By the way, Merlin. Those people just standing there," Lady Jenna said, pointing to the pathway. "Are they friends of yours?"

Gowther and Arthur stood awkwardly, neither one making a move to step forward.

"Weirdos," I chuckled.

"Now then, Meliodas, let's go to the tower on the right," Lady Zaneri said softly.

"Sure," Meliodas said cheerily.

"You too," she said, looking at Elizabeth.

They took off towards the temple.

"I hope that test kicks your ass!" I called out to Meliodas.

He flipped me off behind his back, not even bothering to turn back.

"Everything's moving so quickly. I can hardly keep up," Slader said. "Not only did they know we were coming, but our purpose as well."

"Don't forget. The Druids work with some mysterious spells," King replied.

We looked to where Lady Jenna span Hawk on her staff like a top.

"Not mysterious, just eccentric, I'd say," I pointed out.

Lady Jenna suddenly began walking. "Follow me!"

We all walked behind her towards the opposite cave.

"This is where Druid warriors go to prepare, the Cave of Training."

"Uh, hey, Jenna? What exactly do you plan on making us do?" King asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Rigorous training," she replied. "You're all too fragile! Remember who you're facing! The legendary Ten Commandments of the Demon race."

"Whoa, who are you calling fragile?" Hawk protested.

"They'll show you no mercy. You'll need to get into fighting shape so you can protect this world!"

I really hoped this training would help my own powers go up. I wasn't sure if this place was compatible for me. Anyway, I'd do whatever I could to bring it up as much I as I could, and let the rest sort itself out.

"And by the way," Jenna said, smiling. "Another group arrived just before you did. I hear that they're acquaintances of yours."

"D'you think it might be Ban?" Hawk asked.

So I'd finally get to meet the sappy guy who went on a whole love quest? I chuckled.

"No, she said it was a group. Maybe Guila and Jericho?" King suggested.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you," a voice said ahead of us.

I looked ahead, and almost didn't hear everybody's gasp of disapproval.

"Well, what'dya know? You already came out, Hendy?" Jenna smiled.

"Hendrickson!" King growled, his Sacred Treasure morphing into many small knives. "How are you still alive?"

I waved. "Yo, Hendrickson!"

He remained silent, before collapsing on the ground.

"Oof," I grimaced.

"Oh man. What a pathetic little boy," Jenna sighed. She looked at King. "I know all about why you people have a grudge against this child. But he's back to normal now, so please, for my sake, put your anger aside?"

"She's right," I added. "I met Hendrickson a few days back, and he was as terrified and sympathetic as ever! There's no way his sniveling self would harbor any evil towards anyone."

Jenna smiled at me. I sent her a subtle salute.

"Look behind him!" Arthur said. "There's something there."

"What is that? A tattered rag?" Slader asked.

Hawk began running towards the thing. "No! It's something slightly scorched that smells delicious! I bet it's top-quality Druid scraps!" He slowed to a stop next to the enigma. "Oh man! It's not scraps, and it's not a tattered rag, either! These guys are...the Tattered Trio!"

Jenna walked calmly towards them, and put her hands over their bodies. Their charred forms became normal flesh, and the color returned to them.

Wait a second. Were these the three guys I'd met in Liones? Small world.

"Weren't we inside the Cave of Trials just now?" Howzer asked. He rubbed his head. "Hey, when did all of you get here? And you-" He pointed at me. "I see you found them alright. Just who are you?"

I waved. "I'm Prelialduis, Meliodas' sister."

They gasped audibly. "S-Sister?!"

I chuckled.

"If I hadn't realized it was you guys a second later, you would've been history, Little Gil," Hawk said.

"Thanks for that, Hawk. Good to see you," he smiled at Hawk.

"Just 'Hawk'?"

"R-Right! Sir Hawk!" Gilthunder corrected himself.

"You're so full of yourself, pig," I said.

"I know Meliodas is your brother and all, but d'ya have to insult me the way he does?" Hawk asked.

"Yes," I replied curtly.

"Hendrickson," King said from beside me. I turned to look at him. "No matter what your reasons were, I'll never forgive you! If you remember what you did to Helbram then it's obvious why."

Hendrickson sighed. "Eventually I'll accept the consequences."

"Eventually?!" King repeated incredulously.

"I ask that you allow me some time. First I have to protect Liones and the rest of Britannia. And I have to rescue Dreyfus from the Commandments' grasp."

"I don't care about any of that!"

Jenna clapped to bring order. "There will be time for small talk later. All right everyone! Time for some rigorous training."

"To be honest, I'm not really in the mood right now," King said dismissively.

"Oh, c'mon King. Just do it," I pushed.

"Not interested."

"Pussy?" I asked, face straight.

He opened his mouth to argue, but Jenna cut him off.

"Well fine, then. But remember, the Ten Commandments aren't going to care one bit whether you're in the mood to fight them or not."

Suddenly a portal opened, like the one that was there when I first met him. A green dog stuck its head out and licked King's face.

"Oslo!" King smiled.

"Hey, that's a Black Hound. They're extremely rare," Jenna commented. "I thought they were all extinct."

"Well, extinct or not, that's one dumb looking mutt!" Hawk said.

"All right, everyone who wishes to train, head to the entrance," she announced. "Oh, and don't forget to remove all your equipment. The best way to feel and draw out the latent power within you is to strip down to the bare minimum."

"All equipment, disabled," Gowther said behind me.

I turned. He was naked. Again.

"I have been too up close and personal with this man's junk too many times," I muttered.

"Bare minimum doesn't mean bare," Jenna said. "No need to be naked, just don't take any special weapons. Though I will give you these."

She held up a wooden baton. "It's an ash staff protected by magical power, but their durability is guaranteed."

I shuffled out of my hoodie and shirt, sliding off my shoes as well and picking up a staff. "All right. Let's do this."

"Now then, step inside!" Jenna said.

We all began to walk in, but I felt a hand pull me back. I turned to see Jenna.

"You, my dear," she said, "have a different kind of test. You'll have to go in alone, unlike the others, who have gone in pairs. Your aim is to get your strength back up to par, right, little demoness?"

I blinked. "Uh, yeah."

"Okay, we'll let the Cave sort them out first, then you shall go in and receive a test compatible to only you. It would be too much for the others to handle."

I watched the rest of the group disappear. Jenna waited a few seconds.

"Alright. Go in now, and best of luck to you. You'll need it!"

I turned back. "Huh?"

But Jenna was gone. It was pitch black.

"Um, where's the test? Is it glitchy or something?" I called, but my voice echoed for what I perceived to be a very far place.

Then the darkness became a little brighter. Slowly, I watched the atmosphere take form around me.

It was a dark place still, but I could see now. It looked familiar. I watched an apple tree materialize in the center of the room, then die out in moments, leaving the dead wood.

This was...

My eyes widened. Suddenly I felt adrenaline course through my veins, and my hearts pumped wildly. I whipped around sharply, but there was nothing behind me. But then I turned back and saw what I was fearing.

Standing before me was Meliodas. His eyes were pitch black, and the mark on his forehead spread wide and large. His miasma was suffocatingly dark.

Standing before me was the Meliodas I was terrified of, the one that existed a long, long time ago, long before the Holy War.